http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...hotopanel..2.*

Check this out!!! While not the most flattering review, it does have great drifting scenes and tire smoke.

 

Time before last I was at the road course, there was a guy there with a GT500 coupe. He had his hands full. There's way too much weight on the front end.

It's still hard to argue about 500 hp, though

 

WTF?

Is that why they are selling out as fast as they can make them? I guess the buying public has no clue and these magazine idiots know it all.

Mustangs never get the love from mags. Ford must not advertise enough in them.

 

Boy, that was a kick in the nutz!

 

"... The hood bulges like a UFC fighter's bicep and the thick rear spoiler looks tough enough to scrape aircraft out of the sky...

... The 5.4-liter DOHC 32-valve engine growls with just enough supercharger whine to let everyone know naturally aspirated engines are for wimps...

... Dive into a corner, hit the effective Brembo 14-inch front disc brakes (it stops from 60 mph in just 120 feet) and the GT500 wants to dig a burrow in the pavement deep enough to plant potatoes...

... And the result is a rear tuned for a porpoise, and a front end set up for a whale. Ford should restrict itself to one marine mammal per car...

... But in the sunlight, the cheapness of many materials used throughout the interior is apparent. That's no big problem in a V6 Mustang convertible rented during a trip to Disney World, but a huge issue if you've financed a $50,000 GT500 for five years..."



The writer is a Jeremy Clarkson wannabe, he might be a jerk but a humorous one at that with a firm command of metaphors.



I like him!

 

Never trust a car writer with the middle name Pearley.

He does have some good points, though. My GT handles much better than my GT500.

 

The driver doesn,t know how to drive a high h/p car.

 

Well, taken separately, his comments are mostly valid...but I think the whole is greater than the sum of the parts when it comes to these cars; and clearly its overall meaning and raison d'être are lost on him.

 

I didn't buy a convertible GT-500 to race but to cruise. If racing is the plan, then get a coupe.... This review is absurd

 

One separate thing on the web page complains about trunk space.
12.3 cu.ft. is not small for a modern 2 door vert.
What is he comparing it to a '76 Eldorado?
The Sebring is 11.3.
His point of view is questionable IMO.

 

I dont care how he states the car, Id buy one in a heartbeat !! I love my Mach1, but I drool over Shelbys. 447hp to rear wheels, gotta love it, and that bone stock!!

 

Thats why I got rid of my mach. Can't wait to get my Shelby.

Roger

 

Roger,

Do you have one in the works, yet?

Kevin

 

Aren't these the same people that compared a Shelby GT vs. a Subaru?

 

I'll admit I think his criticism was a little harsh, but I do feel Ford needs to address the handling issues for the next gen GT500. I drove a friend's GT500 and I was impressed but to be honest I feel the base Corvette is a better car for the money. If brand loyalty is tossed aside you kinda get the feeling that $50,000ish is a bit much for this car. I think the HP stats and Shelby heritage have been the perfect marketing tools for Ford in selling this good, but not outstanding car for several thousand above MSRP. Just my .02 don't kill me just being honest with my opinion after driving one. Bottom line, I want one but not for 50K! I think i'll test the used market in a couple years when you guys buy 10'-up GT500s

 

The only reason the GT500 is close to 50K is the dealer markups. They start out MSRP at like 42K I think, and come pretty much loaded up for around 45K?? Quite a bit less than 50K

 

$46 - 47K is the '08s MSRP for a fully optioned coupe. It is close to an additional $5k for the vert.

 

The point is that both cars the base C6 and the GT500 are very close in price. I know some will say that they are not the same kind of car and I personally disagree. They are both powerful V8 sports cars and really the only cars you can choose in this price segment with those power levels. My biggest gripe with the GT500 mostly, but not all due to ADMs is that the car is no longer the best bargain on the block. What I loved about the 03-04 Cobras is that for the most part is was the most balanced (power, handling, uniqueness) car on the road for the price. Though the GT500 is superior to the previous SVT Cobras in just about every way they are no longer the best bargain.

I wanted a GT500 for a long time. I even pre-ordered one back in 04' before my dealer screwed me wanting a $25,000 ADM. After driving the car and considering other cars (the C6 Corvette) is just the best bang for your buck at this segment. I have been accused of being a GM advocate in the past but I have owned 4 Mustangs and I am just putting it out there that the GT500 should not be in the same price range as the Corvette. I think since Ford realizes that there is a market for a high dollar Ford sports car they should build a successor to the Ford GT and keep the GT500 as a poor man sports car.

 

It's all in what you want to drive. If all I cared about was HP/$$, I would go buy a beater honda (not capitalized on purpose) for $5K and throw a pile of money into it. 1....maybe 2 big F'n turbos, a beefy bottom end, and some other stuff, and it could beat a Mustang GT hands down. And to top it off, I've only spent $10K total. Major HP/$$.

I don't want to drive a beater honda though, no matter how fast it may be. Same for the GT500 vs. Corvette. Someone who wants a GT500 is probably not the same type of person who wants a C6 Vette. Different demographics.

Having said all of that, I have driven both cars. The Vette is an amazing machine, and I will say I enjoyed driving it very much. The GT500 though was a BLAST to drive!! It was just plain fun, no way around it. Much more fun than the vette. Not as fast, not as nimble, not as "good" in many ways. But fun factor, the GT500 wins hands down.

 

I guess we are gonna have to agree to disagree. I understand your hopped up Honda comparison, but I don't like the Vette more just because it is faster. In my opinion besides being better in just about every performance category (speed, handling, braking) I personally Like the ride more. I feel that both cars are very fun to drive, but the Vette just feels like a better built car that is not compromised in any way. With the exception of the seats (the only major flaw of the C6) I feel that the interior is worlds apart as far as quality and fit and finish are concerned. Once again I want to clarify I am not picking on the GT500 I personally feel it is the better looking car and would love to own one but I don't feel that the car is worth the near $50,000 MSRP not to mention the crazy ADMs being applied just about everywhere for this car. As much as I would love to own a GT500 it is just not the muscle car bargain that I thought it would be.